E-LEARNING IN VOCATIONAL EDUCATION AND TRAINING (VET): CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES

This paper presents an e-learning experience with young adults that aspired to be certified accountants in Portugal. To become a certified accountant one of the requirements is to pass in an exam that tests four fundamental academic areas: management accounting, financial accounting, fiscal law and professional ethics. This exam, which is normally provided three times each year, is the ultimate test to obtain access to the certified accountant job in Portugal. To prepare candidates for the exam, a full e-learning training was designed, developed and provided. Despite the existence of several courses with similar purposes, it was found that none of them was entirely online. The use of e-learning methodologies is increasingly used in higher education, but when it comes to vocational educational training, it is very rare. In this paper, we will present the challenges and opportunities for educators and training organizations, when providing vocational educational training and training through e-learning. Evidence suggests that participants accept very well this innovative approach to their studies, especially the ones who were geographically apart from the vocational organizations across the country, since they did not find convenience in a face-to-face course. Additionally, participants feel more confident about the completion of the online courses, since, unlike these, the face-to-face courses require a minimum number of participants.